We have finally founds the Northeasterlies and have ridden them about 260nm south. We are back in Moreton Bay with a week to spare before our medical appointments and haulout on the Gold Coast.
We rejoined the crowds and busy anchorages on the well-trodden cruising route south after the Swain Reefs: back from Lady Musgrave in the Southern Reefs, to Burnett Heads to refuel and top up the fresh food supplies, then through the Sandy Straits behind Fraser Island to White Cliffs and Inskip Point, across the Wide Bay Bar and onto Double Island Point, before doing a run to Tangalooma in Moreton Bay. From there we have been doing little hops to kill time.
Double Island Point
We thought you might like to see what the Double Island Point Lagoon looks like these days. Over the past years this natural harbour was formed and gradually changed by the forces of nature. Wind, storms and waves did their unrelenting work to reshape what was a very handy all-weather shelter for shallow draft vessels on the way to or from the notorious Wide Bay Bar. The first two images show the lagoon in November 2022, the panoramic was taken in 2021 and the last two in 2019.
The entrance to the lagoon kept shifting till it disappeared altogether in the last six months. We stopped there on our way south, knowing we would be anchoring on the ‘outside’ as we used to do several years ago even though in the light easterlies the protection was lack luster and the swell uncomfortable. Here is what the lagoon looks like in November 2023:
But there was another reason for stopping there. Our friend Mikey who lives nearby and is always ready for a quick outing, joined us at Inskip Point for a catch-up dinner, a night on board, a first ever Wide Bay Bar crossing, a couple of hours sail to Double Island Point, and a view of Rainbow Beach and its coloured sand cliffs from the ocean. What was a bit ho hum for us was a fun adventure for him. After a hearty bacon and eggs breakfast, we dropped him off on the beach at Double Island Point and he hitchhiked his way back to his car at Inskip Point. Short and sweet, but Mikey loves little escapades and got to see what it is like to sail on Anui… and more to the point, he now realizes he can sail with us without getting seasick. It was fun to have an overnight visitor, even if it was brief. May be the next escapade will be longer!
Back to Moreton Bay
We sailed into Moreton Bay, first arriving at Tangalooma.
We were too exhausted for a dive at the wrecks that afternoon, and the next day was too cloudy so we moved on to Lucinda first, then sheltered at Peel Island as the northerlies picked up. We are now at Canaipa while the southerlies blow for a few days.
This is leaving us with a week to spare before body and boat maintenance starts. Neither of us has been feeling very well and the energy is in short supply, so we have not been very active.
Sv-Anui 
Glad to see you got south safely. We know what milling around filling in time feels like. ‘ hope you both feel better soon. Love to the three of you. Xxx
Thanks Trish. Tail cuddle from Bengie, hugs from us.
Welcome south to parts of the coastline for which I do not have to open the atlas. May the weather gods treat you fair and the know-it-alls on land only have acceptable news. Would you tell Bengie I am in need of a tail cuddle also . . . bestest . . .
Oh Eha, it’s always a bit of a downer at the end of the tropical cruising season. But once the boat is looking its best, we are continuing south to Tassie. Will you need maps for that? Passed your message on to Bengie! You get a head butt as well as a tail cuddle. 😺🥰
Nope – no maps needed! Have barely left there with my Dutch vinology friends! What a fortnight of travelling and learning !!! Bengie . . . you are a pal . . . one head butt with a tail cuddle either side, please . . .
Wow, very beautiful photos as always, guys! You’ve had so much fun that now its time to get some human and boat repairs. I am pretty sure that I would be seasick out there so I wouldn’t make a good sailor! Safe travels, guys. 😊🇦🇺
Hi John, yes time to knuckle down but hopefully for only a short time… famous last words…
You do get used to the movement at sea after years of doing it!
I hope the time ashore is minimal! I’ll take a rain check on sea travel… 😂😊
Hey guys I’ve been following your cruise, you’re certainly making a proper job of it. 😁👍 Just curious, where is Lucinda in Moreton Bay?
Hi Steve, Lucinda is a bit further south from Tangalooma and north of the Big Sandhills.
Ok thanks, I’ve anchored at Tangalooma, Sandhills etc many times, but didn’t know it was called that.
Hi, great you guys were able to make some miles with the northerlies. Did you anchor at DI point in a northerly and what was it like? Cheers Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, we anchored there in a light Easterly. Some protection initially but not comfortable. Don’t do it 😂! We had other reasons for anchoring there as mentioned in the post. Left in the night as it got too rough.
Oh no!! Thanks for the heads up.. really miss the lagoon.. 😔
Yes, back to anchoring outside in a SE only!
Such adventurers ⛵️ look forward to seeing how it all goes after Boat Works, excited to see Anui after her face lift✔️
Hi Wendy, serious makeover coming up for Anui! Wished we could do the same on our poor old bodies!
End of another season in the tropics eh? Seems a bit anti-climactic for you, but we’ve enjoyed the ride. Thanks for sharing guys and best wishes with the medicals!
PS That was fascinating, seeing how the spit at Double Island Point has changed over the years, with the drifting sands. Maybe it’ll be open to you next time you come up??
Hi guys, yes it is always a bit odd at this time of year… an ending, a return to crowds and the humdrum after being in the wilderness. We aren’t sure we want to come back up next year. A lap of Tassie is next then maybe SA is on the cards.
The DIP lagoon… many people are lamenting its loss. A passage is reforming in the middle but only useable in a dinghy at high tide… so who knows!
Great aerial shots Chris! Such a shame the DIP lagoon as disappeared on us. We, like you, had a great season even though the winds were challenging at times. When I wrapped up our season with my last blog post, going through the photos and experiences we had, I was very happy with the season. Good luck with all your repairs. We’ll stay in touch.
Hi Amanda, we are reviewing photos and reminding ourselves of how many new spots we have explored this year. It was good even if difficult weather wise. But we must admit we are both in need of a change of scenery.